Wow! It's mind boggling just how many people have read this fic – thank you all very much and your reviews have really brightened up my day!
I'm currently working at a rate of 1 and a bit chapters a month for this fic…this should hopefully become a chapter to every 2/3 weeks, but the updates might be a little erratic due to holidays, etc
I'm leaving to go on holiday tonight – will be back on 24th July to put up the next chapter at some point in the week 25th to 29th July
Anyway, enjoy this chapter and I'll do my best to update soon!
Relena stretched luxuriously, then let her whole body relax once more. She had slept well and even the thought of Quatre and Dorothy a few rooms down the hall couldn't spoil her contentment. Heero's arm was slung across her midsection, his face relaxed and breathing deep in slumber. Relena shifted slightly, turning on her side so she was facing Heero. As she moved Heero's arm tightened around her and pulled her closer. Relena blushed as her body came into contact with Heero's but his breathing didn't change.
When he woke about half an hour later his lips were resting against Relena's forehead and her hands were against his bare chest. Slowly he ran his hand up and down her back and she nestled closer to him. Heero felt his body react to her proximity and he froze. That he had not been planning for. Lifting the covers on his side of the bed he slid out, careful to cover Relena once again. She sat up looking confused, and yawned.
"I'm getting a shower"
She nodded slowly and stretched up before lying back down in the warm spot created by their two bodies. Heero closed the bathroom door before grabbing a towel and shedding his boxers for the shower. Many couples would have left the bathroom door open, but Heero and Relena weren't exactly the average couple, though they wanted the Winner's to think they were.
Heero pondered the dilemma as the water began beating down on his body. Sometimes, the logistics of their situation baffled Heero. They were doing this to get a deal with Quatre Winner's company, but if they did get the deal the companies would have to be in continued contact and they would be forced to maintain the pretence of Heero's married life.
He imagined phoning Relena every year when the Winner's were due for their visit and asking her to act for another week. It would be a hard lie to perpetuate…but he couldn't exactly tell Quatre Winner the truth now. The businessman would probably be so offended that he would refuse to discuss any possibility of a contract and it could damage Heero's reputation for being a man of integrity, which in turn would be harmful to the company. Turning the shower off once again he stepped out into the bathroom and tied a towel around his waist.
Relena was standing in the wardrobe choosing an outfit. The plan for the day was a picnic lunch in the local park, followed by an introduction to the city and shopping and finally dinner at a restaurant Heero had reserved weeks before. They were to be joined there by Duo and Hilde; it had been Duo's idea to come as he already knew Quatre and Dorothy and he had also suggested Relena inviting one of her friends to "bulk out the party." Heero was a little suspicious of his motives, especially as Duo had already shown an interest in Hilde, but his friend had brushed off any mentions of that being a possible reason for requesting her presence.
As Relena disappeared into the shower Heero went downstairs to start preparing a cooked breakfast. He had bought the required ingredients the night before and he was looking forward to bacon, eggs and potato and soda farls to start the day.
Josh wandered downstairs behind him, dragging his blanket and rubbing his eyes. After a few moments of concentrated work Heero managed to open the child gate and let Josh and himself through and then Josh sat at the kitchen table, watching as Heero began cooking.
"Daddy…"Josh yawned.
Heero looked up, still finding it strange for Josh to call him "daddy".
"Can I help?" The youngster yawned again, remembering this time to cover his open mouth.
Heero looked around at the various cooking implements. Oil in pan for fried eggs ...too dangerous. Bacon and soda farls on grill... too hot. Perhaps he could give Josh some bread to toast? That would be safe enough and keep him occupied.
"Okay. Here you go"
Heero directed Josh on how to insert the bread in the toaster and push it down and the boy set about his task happily. Trusting that Josh couldn't come to any harm Heero concentrated on preparing the rest of the breakfast…until the smell of smoke reached his nostrils.
Turning he registered the toaster emitting menacing black smoke before all hell broke loose as the fire alarm went off. Josh was wailing in the corner of the kitchen covering his ears and Heero wafted a tea towel frantically to direct the smoke away from the alarm. When Relena came in he handed her the tea towel without a word and climbed on the table, armed with a knife to deactivate the alarm. When the noise immediately stopped they all breathed a sigh of relief. Josh was still sniffling as Heero then turned off the power to the toaster and used the knife to fish out two lumps of charcoal from the depths of the machine.
"I did it just like you said" Josh's voice shook, "I pushed it down and waited for it to come up and then pushed it down again…"
He trailed off as Heero and Relena looked incredulously at each other before bursting into laughter. Josh was bemused when both of their arms came tightly around him.
"Heero" Relena giggled, "Never become a TV chef if this is what your instructions lead to!"
Heero laughed back, "Not something I was really considering as a career path…but for Josh on the other hand…"
Quatre arrived just in time to save the bacon from a similar fate to the bread Josh had incinerated and Dorothy examined the toast ruefully before laughing.
"Well, they do say charcoal is good for the blood!"
After an enjoyable breakfast they lounged around the house and garden preparing for that day ahead before heading to the city park for a picnic lunch. Nobody was very hungry after such a large breakfast so they simply sat in the botanic gardens with ice cream and enjoyed the weather.
Afterwards, Heero drove everyone into town and parked the car at a central location so everyone could return there after shopping.
That morning, Relena had commented on Quatre appearing for breakfast in smart office clothing when she had Heero usually came down in pyjamas. He had admitted, rather sheepishly, that he hadn't packed much casual clothing so he welcomed the opportunity to go shopping for some. Relena needed to get a formal dress for the party they were throwing in about a weeks time to say farewell to Quatre and Dorothy.
Relena'sfirst stop was the cash machine, while Dorothy used the one next to her. Relena could not help an exclamation of surprise when her balance came up on screen…it was the kind of amount she hadn't previously earned in a year let alone one month! She remembered Duo's promise to pay her five times her usual salary but the sheer amount of money involved hadn't registered with her until now. Besides the fact that she would never have agreed to do it if she hadn't trusted Heero, regardless of how much she was offered.
Receiving the money made her feel ashamed: if they hadn't needed someone with a child, an escort service would probably have been their next port of call and that put her in the same category as people who sold their body for cash. Heero seemed to truly care for both her and Josh, but receiving payment made her wonder just how much of his affection was real and what was calculated to give him the best chances of sealing the deal with Winner Enterprises.
Frowning she withdrew some money that she knew was her own and crumpled the printed statement into the bottom of her handbag. Perhaps she had needed to be reminded that this was nothing more than a financial arrangement. Relena jumped when Dorothy spoke to her.
"Are you alright?"
Relena forced a smile.
"I'm fine. Just got a little bit of a shock"
"Oh," Dorothy nodded knowingly, "Bad or good?"
Relena considered, "A little bit of both I guess…but it's no big deal. Let's get started – we haven't got much time for serious shopping!"
Dorothy laughed in reply.
"Lead the way!"
After hours of deliberation Relena had decided on a midnight blue gown that Dorothy said made her eyes glow like sapphires and Dorothy had chosen a forest green that set off her hair. Satisfied they then went on the hunt for shoes and other accessories, alongside more mundane necessities. Josh had appointed himself adjudicator and had overseen the final decisions on each dress. He was extremely proud of the smart shoes, trousers and shirt that Relena had purchased for him and he insisted on carrying his own bag though he had to bend his arm to stop it dragging along the ground.
Dorothy laughed watching him but Relena could detect sadness in her eyes.
"Are you and Quatre planning a family?"
Dorothy looked up, taken unawares by the question and Relena immediately apologized.
"I'm sorry. That's a very personal question"
Dorothy shook her head.
"No, that's alright. I guess I've just never had to really explain our situation to anyone else before"
She paused, considering the best way to continue.
"I was pregnant about a year and a half ago. Quatre and I had been married for a few months and it was the news we had been hoping for. The baby seemed healthy, all the scans were clear and everything seemed fine…"
She trailed off, obviously still finding it difficult to discuss. Relena waited in sympathetic silence and Dorothy took a deep breath before continuing.
"But everything wasn't fine. I became ill and…miscarried the baby. For a long time after that I was unwell and for a time the doctor's feared for my life"
Dorothy's voice cracked and she dabbed quickly at her eyes with a tissue, trying to maintain a composed façade.
"When I recovered the news that I had lost the baby nearly destroyed me. A child was everything that Quatre and I had wanted …and still want, but the doctor's still don't know what went wrong. We've been trying so hard for another child, but I'm so scared that the same thing will happen again. I couldn't stand losing another baby…our son"
She began to cry openly and Relena led her to a bench where they could sit out down out of the main area of the shopping centre.
"I'm sorry"
Dorothy apologised through her tears.
"It still upsets me so much…"
Relena stroked Dorothy's arm gently and Josh hugged her tightly. Seeing other people distressed always upset him, even if he didn't know the cause of their suffering.
Relena spoke quietly.
"I can't even begin to imagine how you must have felt…but as a mother I can understand it to a certain degree. If it helps, I know you and Quatre would make wonderful parents"
Dorothy's tears redoubled but she returned Josh's hug.
"Thank you. Just being able to tell someone else…. has meant more than I can say"
They sat for a few more minutes, gradually bringing the conversation around to more cheerful topics and Dorothy touched up her makeup before they moved on.
"I don't want Quatre to worry…he's very protective of me after my illness"
She smiled brightly and Relena returned the grin. Josh followed closely behind them both and asked Dorothy questions about her home that made her laugh. Relena watched Dorothy with a new respect for her strength.
When they eventually met up with Heero and Quatre, Dorothy, Relena and Josh were laden with bags in contrast to the two men who only held a few bags between them.
Relena found herself watching Heero with a new consideration; examining his mannerisms for any sign of false sincerity and looking for hidden meanings when he spoke. He seemed to feel her attention on him and turned to meet her stare with a quizzical look.
Relena then switched her attention to Quatre, who was expressing concern over his wife's well being. She laughed as he took her hand and Relena could see the strength of the bond they had between them.
On the journey home Relena volunteered to give Quatre the passenger seat once again and she sat behind the driver's seat.
The label on Heero's T-shirt was sticking up so she tucked it down, letting her hand rest on the back of his neck for a second. His skin felt so warm and real beneath her fingers, but his behaviour was a harder thing to interpret. Heero met her eyes in the rear-view mirror as he thanked her softly and there was a question in it as if he could tell something was bothering her, but she ignored it and looked away.
Preparation for going out to dinner was a mad rush and Heero phoned ahead to the restaurant on his mobile when they got stuck in traffic but it was engaged. Duo rang a few minutes later to say that he and Hilde were already there and had confirmed the booking.
The meal was delicious though it took a while to come. Relena had expected Josh to be exhausted but he tucked into his ice cream and raspberry jelly dessert with gusto. The atmosphere was relaxed and everyone appeared to be having a good time.
Duo and Hilde really seemed to have hit it off and their chatter kept the conversation moving at a good pace. Heero observed his friend ad he flirted with Hilde again. It was obvious that the two were interested in one another and Heero couldn't help a slight feeling of jealousy. Duo had the opportunity to start a relationship with no strings attached, while for Heero it was slightly more complicated than that. He stole a sideways glance at Relena as she laughed at one of Quatre's jokes. If they had met without the deal perhaps they would have had the chance to start a normal relationship…but if it weren't for the deal he probably wouldn't have taken the time to even get to know her. It was a no-win situation.
Maybe after the Winner's left they could discuss the possibility of…but would it work when their relationship had to remain professional?
He looked down, concentrating on the exquisite apple pie he had been presented with as a dessert. Like so many things, there was nothing he could do about Relena until later…he stifled a laugh as he caught sight of Josh's once-clean face, his mouth now surrounded by a large white ring of ice cream. Heero leant across the table and wiped Josh's face gently.
"It tastes better when it goes in your mouth"
Josh then opened his mouth, proudly displaying a nauseating mixture of ice cream and jelly that Heero pretended to examine closely.
"Looks delicious. Carry on"
Josh giggled and Relena and Hilde exchanged a glance as Heero returned to his dessert. Relena caught Heero's eye and he smiled again, watching their son demolish his artfully arranged pudding. Relena held his gaze for a little longer; unsure though she was of Heero's true feelings for her, she was sure that he loved Josh and that knowledge made her feel secure.
Regardless of the consequences, at least Josh would have had a father for a short time.
I actually didn't want to finish this chapter here (had a whole other section when Heero and Relena talk that night, etc but it will work better in the next chapter)
Author's note: The breakfast that Heero prepares for breakfast is a traditional meal in my area…really a twist on a fried breakfast…just thought it would be fun to put it in, lol
Hey again everyone – individual thanks to all reviewers below – please review this chapter!
Pureevil230 – glad you liked the last chapter and hope this one measured up. Thanks so much for your encouragement (and threats, lol) for both this and my other fics (especially Aftermath…so nervous posting it!) Sorry I'm not really getting much better at updating…but I am working on it, promise!
Sakura-Blossom-Cilla-85 – I'm afraid I can't resist a little angst, lol. Nope Heero isn't Josh's biological father but he is his father as in he's the closest thing Josh has ever had to a daddy so he looks up to him. Glad you liked this chapter and hope this one met with your approval too!
Sakura123 – I always love getting your reviews! Really flattered that you almost called it an episode. Sorry as always that I haven't updated sooner but hope you like this chapter too and thank you for your support of my other fic Aftermath. As for Quatre and Dorothy…all will be revealed in due time – some already in this chapter. Hope you liked it!
Zakai – Wouldn't it be great if they lived happily ever after? But that rarely happens in real life I guess…anyway happy you liked it and the whole issue of Quatre maybe discovering he's being lied to will come up in the future, especially as Heero is already worried about that possibility. Hope to keep your interest!
Mariel400-Glad you enjoyed it and hope you keep reading!
Kawaii Selene – Thanks for the encouragement about posting my other fics – I took the plunge and did it though I almost deleted it several times because I was so nervous, lol. Really glad you like Quatre and Dorothy…some people don't seem to like them as a couple but they worked for this fic…their problem will be revealed in it's entirety over the next few chapters though I've mentioned some of it this chapter. Happy you enjoyed last chapter and hope you like this one too!
Seed-of-Flame – Glad you liked Josh and thanks for adding me to your faves…makes me feel loved, lol. Thaks for the good wishes for my trip to Vietnam…12 months away is an intimidating thought but I'm working in a university so I should hopefully have Internet access to keep updating! Hope you liked this chapter as well!
BadScorpio- lol, any country's good – I'd love to see the world because there is so much variety that I'd never get bored! One of my dreams has always been to learn as many languages as possible! Thanx for the good luck and sorry to keep you waiting for an update! Hope you keep reading!
Lyn-Minmay – Your patience puts you in good stead when you have slow updaters like me, lol. Happy you enjoyed it…and anyone living with a young child knows that their demands come first! Lol, as Heero has learned! Hope this chapter meets with your approval too!
Wing – Hope this update wasn't too long in coming and you enjoyed this chapter! Yeah, Josh is a very smart kid and he's determined that Heero will be his daddy forever. Advance warning for some angst in next few chapters as more problems come up but some more Heero+Relena stuff as well as more about Quatre and Dorothy. Hope this fic keeps your interest!
Moonlight-Twilight – Thanks for reviewing – really happy to hear you liked it and hope this chapter please you as well!
Ninifleur – Your English is very good for it being your second language…I'm afraid I can't remember much of the written French I did…can still read and speak it to a certain degree as everyone else in my family is fluent (not me unfortunately) but my second language is Italian so I automatically answer in it if someone speaks to me in French, lol. Anyway, glad you like the fic and part of Dorothy's problem is revealed in this chapter – hope you liked it too!
356 – Hope this update is soon enough for you and hope you like this chapter as much as the last one!
RayxJade – Happy you liked it. Yeah, in the past some reviewers have mentioned this fic reminding them of the films "Borrowed Hearts" and "Alex and Emma" but I've never seen either of them so I don't know whether I'm following a similar storyline or anything like that…lol. I will continue as ordered – hope you enjoy it!
Lil Dev G – Due credit is given…I have a list of fics in my internet explorer favorites and it takes forever going through them all to see if they have been updated so I understand your struggles! And don't worry about not reviewing before – even getting a one-word review makes me happy! Lol. Yeah, I've seen some pretty good Quatre and Trowa doujinshi and fanfics, but the Quatre + Dorothy pairing worked for this fic. It's always a matter of interpretation as well as it's hard to tell whether they are good friends or a couple…I open the debate to the floor! Sorry to make you wait for this fic and hope you liked this chapter too!
Otakufanatic – I'm so bad at updating sooner than usual though I do really try, lol. Hope you liked this chapter too and I may just call in when I'm in Vietnam (I'm working as a teacher so I have the school holidays off) I'm actually based in the North but I might be heading down South and into Laos, Cambodia, Thailand or Malaysia at some point during my holiday….need to work extra hours to raise the money though!
Sehri – Thanks for the good luck (I'll need it) and for adding me to your alerts. Hope this next chapter was enjoyable for you to read and I will try to update again at end of July/beginning of august. Thanx again!
Morrighan of Crimson and Sable – Do you know any really silly intelligent people? Like the kind of people who could solve a complicated maths problem in seconds but find working their toaster difficult? I know so many people like that and have often been accused of being one myself…my brother is a point in case – he's both a proven genius and the only person I know to have fallen into an oven while removing a pizza, lol. My bizarre family gives me plenty of inspiration, lol I laughed when I wrote it so that's probably a good sign…anyway, I'll stop babbling now – thanx for reviewing and hope you enjoyed this chapter too!
Hieiashke – This wait wasn't quite as long as last time, but I'm sorry for making you wait so long before. The chapter shave been steadily getting longer, but I usually keep them fairly short so I can get them written, edited and uploaded. Anyway, glad you liked it and I will try to update sooner in future. Just since you mentioned H+R fics I've also started another one called Aftermath, which is HeeroxRelena, though doesn't just focus on them like this story. It's set after Endless waltz…dunno if you would be interested. I also have some HxR fics on my faves list if you're looking for some! Yeah, Quatre and Trowa probably wouldn't worked for the happily married family man picture of Quatre, though I have seen some good fics with that pairing!
Hope to see you again!
Mini Nicka – More as requested – hope you liked it too! Yeah, the family unit is still something that they all need to get used to – trying to keep the character relationships as true to the series as possible so Quatre's wife could only really be Dorothy because he's not really close to any other girls in the series. Oh well, hope you can see them together and you continue to read!
Kat-tastrophe – As always, happy you liked it! Hope this capter continued the trend for getting better and keeps your attention…continue the love affair, lol
The hero of the time 2005 – lol, yeah, that would possibly make it better and I am so sorry to keep you waiting…I find it really difficult to rush the writing of this fic, though in my studies I work best under pressure so I try to set myself deadlines for each chapter of this fic…was having a couple of difficulties with my internet connection but that's all sorted now so should hopefully be able to update when I get back from holiday (24th July or after that date) Hope you keep reading!
Mischka – Not so much Heero ad Relena in this chapter as some of the other pairings, but there will be a lot of Heero and Relena in the next few chapters. I'm rubbing my hands in glee at the thought of what I'm going to write – I have a tendency to write events and then fill in the connecting pieces so I have some of the events for future chapters already written. Sorry as always for taking a while to update and my next one should be end of July/beginning of august. Hope you liked this chapter too!
Heaven's girl – Though you didn't expect Dorothy as Quatre's wife hope you can see them together! I want it to seem realistic! Sorry to keep you waiting and thanx for the kind review!
Will – Yes, I am alive…sorry to leave you all for so long! Anyway, if I had died you would all get invites to my funeral…lol, my mind is morbid sometimes! Lol Anyway, sorry for the long wait…but it wasn't quite 2 months and hopefully should never be that long again (though it might take me a while to find an internet connection in Vietnam!) Glad you like Dorothy and Quatre and hope you tune in for the next update!
Starlight Gundam – Hope you liked this chapter as much as the other chapters and hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long!
MissAnnThropy2600 – Thanks for the compliments on the characters…I always feel characters are the heart of the story.
yeah, you can't get real chocolate in America…I was over there last year and I nearly died when I saw a cadbury's bar…until I read the back and it said "Made By Hersheys" My disappointment was bitter and the amount of chocolate I ate when I got home was prodigious in the extreme! Lol If you are ever over again find Thorntons – they make some of the best chocolate! My sister lives in America now so I take tonnes of food when I go to visit her – different flavours of crisps, sweets, chocolate, etc, etc. I have to admit that I was shocked by how few flavours of crisps you have in America…I guess here in Ireland potatoes have been so important in the past (lol…that's all people think about this country – leprechauns, potatoes and in the North, bombs…lol) that we have hundreds of flavours of crisps mmm…gammon and pineapple or Ulster fry flavour (traditional meal of bacon, eggs, potato and soda farls just like Heero eats in this chapter! lol) Anyway, I'm waffling but glad you liked it and hope to see you again soon!
CFQGY – Thanks for the encouragement and glad you like this story – hope to keep everyone interested until the end! Hope you continue reading!
BobbyDoll – Hope you survived the wait this time – it hasn't even been a month…loll, feel so proud of myself! Lol Anyway, hope you liked this chapter too!
Thank you all so much for your support and I can't tell you all how much i appreciate it! thanks again adn please review this chapter too!
Chrikaru